Original Halo composers sue Microsoft over unpaid royalties dating back 20 years
The original Halo music composers are suing Microsoft over unpaid royalties, Eurogamer can reveal.
Marty O'Donnell and Mike Salvatori, who created the iconic Halo music used in the Bungie-developed Halo games and more Halo products, claim Microsoft still owes them money relating to royalties dating back 20 years.
Lawyers representing the pair filed the lawsuit to a Washington state court in June 2020, and it has rumbled on ever since, with depositions and discovery undertaken. A date for mediation is set for next week, but if no agreement is reached, the dispute may go to court.
And in a recent development, O'Donnell and Salvatori have instructed their lawyers to explore the possibility of blocking the release of the upcoming TV show with a preliminary injunction.
O'Donnell and Salvatori are behind the creation of Halo's iconic soundtrack used on a raft of Halo games and products. This includes the famous Halo «monk» chant, as well as the rousing «der der der der» refrain Halo players know well.
Their lawsuit brought six causes of action against Microsoft: breach of contract; breach of fiduciary duty to develop the royalty income in a joint venture; breach of duty to act in good faith and fair dealing; failure to provide an accounting partnership; unjust enrichment; and tortious interference.
In a phone interview with Eurogamer, O'Donnell claimed he and Salvatori had tried to gain clarity from Microsoft for more than a decade on the alleged unpaid royalties, but finally decided to launch a lawsuit after failing to make progress with the company.
«We just never seemed, through our attorneys and even when I was physically in Microsoft, I could never get much clarity on it,» O'Donnell said.
Microsoft declined to comment
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